Categories: Writing in Spanish

Question and exclamation marks in Spanish. Let’s see how to use it!

In Spanish, the exclamation marks (!) and question marks (?) are double, like parentheses. That is, they delimit both interrogative and exclamatory sequences. Unlike languages like English or French, which have auxiliaries or a specific grammatical formula or order for constructing a question, Spanish is more unrestrained, so the only way to indicate that you are facing the beginning of an exclamation or question mark is through the first sign. This is the clue that allows correct intonation when reading a text, so the opening signs (?) should not be suppressed to imitate other languages that only use the closing sign.

But how do we use these signs?

  • When a sentence ends with a question or exclamation, the closing signs are the sign at the end of the statement (!?) Therefore, it is not appropriate to put a period at the end (the point is already included by the sign: !?); thus, the word that follows it will always be written with an initial capital letter.

Example: ¿Qué hora es? Olvidé mi reloj en casa.

                 [What time is it? I left my watch at home]

  • If the statement does not end in a question or exclamation, other punctuation marks can be added, for example, comma (,), semicolon (;) or colon (:):

Examples:

¡Tranquilo!, ¿vale?

[Calm down, okay?]

   «Aúllan como demonios cuando llega la noche; ¿sabes por qué?: para quebrar el silencio que los aterroriza»

[«They howl like demons when night comes; Do you know why? to break the silence that terrifies them»]

(Vargas Llosa La ciudad y los perros, 1962).

  • Finally, do not forget that if the word immediately before the beginning of a question or exclamation is also the end of a sentence, it must have a period.

Example: No sé por qué voy. ¿Por qué soy así, qué busco?

  [I don’t know why I’m going. Why am I like this? What am I looking for?]

(Leila Guerriero Domingo, 2020).

Remember that punctuation marks are intended to transcribe -in part- the pauses, tones, duration, and intensity of the melodic curve of the spoken language. Although it is impossible to transcribe oral discourse with all its nuances, punctuation marks help us a lot. Despite their limitations, they can interpret and harmonise a written text with the melody of orality. Think that punctuation marks are symbols that help us write the scores of our voices.

Constanza Jeldres

View Comments

    • Thank you so much! You're invited to try our iScribo platform and share your feedback. 😀

  • Magnificent beat I would like to apprentice while you amend your site how can i subscribe for a blog web site The account helped me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

    • Thanks for your kind comments! You can subscribe to our newsletter in the pop-up window that appears if you open a new article. 😉 Ah! and you're invited to try our iScribo platform and share your feedback. 🥰

  • Wonderful beat I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site how could i subscribe for a blog web site The account aided me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

    • Thanks for your kind comments! You can subscribe to our newsletter in the pop-up window that appears if you open a new article. 😉 Ah! and you're invited to try our iScribo platform and share your feedback. 🥰

  • I was recommended this website by my cousin I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty You are wonderful Thanks

    • 🥰 Thanks! We invite you to try our platform, iScribo—the spelling and grammar corrector to improve your Spanish writing.

  • Normally I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very forced me to try and do so Your writing style has been amazed me Thanks quite great post

    • Thank you for your kind comment. We love our work and want to share as much as possible about the Spanish language. You're more than invited to try our iScribo platform and share your feedback. ;)

Recent Posts

kms activator for microsoft office 2007 free download ✓ Activate Office 2007 Effortlessly Now

kms activator for microsoft office 2007 free download to activate Office 2007 effortlessly. ✓ Access…

2 weeks ago

microsoft gointeract io activation ✓ Activate Microsoft Products Easily ➔ Support for Windows 7 & 10

Microsoft gointeract io activation is your solution for easy product activation. ✓ Access self-service for…

2 weeks ago

How to activate microsoft office on lenovo laptop ✓ Step-by-Step Guide

How to activate Microsoft Office on Lenovo laptop: Follow these steps ✓ to activate Office…

2 weeks ago

Regional expressions and idioms: a voyage through the sayings of the Spanish-speaking world

Spanish idioms vary significantly by region, reflecting the culture and identity of each country. Today,…

4 weeks ago

The Language of Gastronomy: Unique Spanish Terms for Describing Flavours, Textures, and Traditional Dishes

Today, iScribo delights us with its rich Spanish vocabulary, articulating the flavours, textures, and typical…

1 month ago

Common mistakes in Spanish writing (and how to avoid them without losing your mind)

Spanish can be quite a challenge. Mistakes are often made that can affect the clarity…

1 month ago